Air Force to Host Bellarmine in GWLL Contest
4/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 9, 2008
The Air Force lacrosse team is back at home this weekend, April 11, for a GWLL contest versus Bellarmine. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium.
Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force (2-5, 0-1) dropped its GWLL opener to 18th-ranked Ohio State last week, falling 16-5 to the Buckeyes. Leading the way for the Falcons was junior Griffin Nevitt, who tallied two goals and an assist.
Nevitt is the Falcons' leading scorer on the year with 11 goals and five assists on the season, while senior David Rose is second on the team with nine goals and three assists.
Scouting the Knights...
Bellarmine (6-4, 0-2) was last in action on April 2, when it dropped a 20-4 contest to Ohio State.
Shane Andersen leads the Knights' offense with 21 points (11g, 10a), while Matt Holland is second with 20 points (10g, 10a).
The Coaches...
• Air Force is coached by Fred Acee, in his 11th season with the Falcons. Acee holds a 349-219-1 career record (41st year) and a 37-100 mark at the Academy.
• Bellarmine is coached by Jack McGetrick, in his third season at the helm of the Knights' program. McGetrick holds a career record of 116-98 (15th year) and 29-24 mark at Bellarmine.
Series Records...
This weekend marks just the third meeting between Air Force and Bellarmine, with the series tied, 1-1. The Knights won last year's contest, 16-10, while the Falcons picked up a 9-6 victory in 2006.
Air Force in the Statistical Rankings...
In the latest national rankings through games of April 6, Air Force ranks 26th in the nation in man-up offense (.323).
Meanwhile, junior Dan Gnazzo ranks tied for second in the GWLL and tied for 14th in the nation in ground balls per game (5.0).
How They Rate...
Bellarmine ranks 14th nationally in face-off win percentage (.545), while ranking 26th in man-down defense (.717) and 27th in both man-up offense (.297) and scoring offense (9.1).
Individually, Bobby Snider is second in the conference and 23rd in the nation in face-off win percentage (.547), while Geoff Griffiths is fourth in the league and 27th in the country in ground balls per game (4.5).
Who's in Goal?...
Between Air Force and Bellarmine, seven goalkeepers have seen action for the teams, including six different starters combined. For the Falcons, freshmen Brian Wilson and Woody Johnson, along with senior Clayton Cruickshank have all started at least one game this season. Meanwhile, David Haas, Justin Burks and Scott Bowles have all started in goal for the Knights, while A.J. Smith has also seen action between the pipes.
Winning At Home...
With two home contests this weekend, Air Force will look to remain undefeated on its own field this season. Both of the Falcons' wins this season have come at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium. Air Force is currently one of 11 Division I teams in the nation who remain undefeated at home in 2008.
Keeping the Streak Alive...
Junior Griffin Nevitt will look to keep his scoring streak alive this weekend, as the midfielder has scored at least one goal or assist in 32 consecutive games. Nevitt, who has 56 goals and 29 assists in his career, has scored in 34 of 35 games in his first two-plus seasons.
Nevitt's scoring streak of 32 games is the seventh-longest active streak in the country. Duke's Matt Danowski leads the way with 53 straight games with at least one goal or assist.
Up Next...
The Falcons host Quinnipiac on Sunday, April 13, in another league match-up. The game is slated for 12:00 p.m. at Cadet Lacrosse Stadium.
